All Too Late

Benjamin rang the doorbell after he finished his call. Kathleen was standing inside when the door opened. She had just finished her shower, and her face was still pale. “I bought some pizza.” Benjamin did not know how to react when he saw Kathleen’s expression. They felt awkward meeting each other because they had experienced the same trauma. “Thank you.” Kathleen took a step back and allowed Benjamin to enter. Benjamin walked to the table and put down the pizza in his hand. “It’s still hot. Eat up.” “Gemma went to work the night shift.” Kathleen pursed her lips. “I didn’t expect her to become a nurse. She’s amazing.” Benjamin froze for a moment. “Nothing is amazing about it. There are many nurses out there who are better than her.” Kathleen shook her head. “She’s really amazing, especially after that matter.” “Have you been doing well?” Benjamin asked in a hoarse voice. “Yes.” Kathleen took her seat. Benjamin took a cigarette box out of his pocket. Kathleen hesitated before saying, “Benjamin, can you not smoke in the house?” “I’m sorry.” Benjamin felt awkward. He did that because he was too nervous. Kathleen ate the pizza slowly. “Thank you for saving me.” “Don’t go out so late next time.” Benjamin’s heart ached for her. “Even if you have an emergency, find someone to accompany you. Don’t go out alone at night.” “Okay.” Kathleen nodded. “I called a man named Tyson, but I didn’t tell him you’re here. I wanted to ask you first.” Benjamin looked at her. “Should I ask him to come here?” Kathleen shook her head. “It’s okay. It’s bright outside. I can go home alone.” “All right.” Benjamin nodded as he sized Kathleen up. He had many words to say, but he held himself back. Who am I to interfere with her matters now? She’s married, and the man named Tyson is not her husband. Is her marriage that painful to her? Is that why she has… Knock! Knock! Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Kathleen and Benjamin exchanged glances. “Is that Gemma?” Kathleen was shocked. “She doesn’t get off until noon,” said Benjamin as he went to open the door. He opened the door and saw a handsome, elegant-looking man in his long black coat. He seemed unfriendly, judging from his looks. Benjamin recalled seeing this handsome man. He’s Samuel Macari, the CEO of Macari Group and the head of the Macari family. He’s also Old Mrs. Macari’s grandson and Kathleen’s husband. “Benjamin, who is it?” Kathleen walked to the door. She froze when she saw Samuel. He came rather quickly. Kathleen knew it would be a matter of time for Samuel to find her once someone contacted Tyson. Samuel narrowed his eyes and stared at Kathleen coldly. Kathleen was wearing a pink hoodie with a cartoon figure printed on it and a pair of grey sweatpants. Her hair was tied up in a bun, which made her look cute and fresh. She still looks like an eighteen-year-old university student though she’s already twenty-three. She looks so fresh and charming. Instantly, anger surged within Samuel. How dare she stay in a stranger’s house? Doesn’t she know how dangerous the world is? “Come with me!” Samuel’s voice was deep and cold. “How did you find this place?” There were no emotions in Kathleen’s voice. “You could have just sent Tyson to pick me up. Why did you come?” Kathleen knew she was a nobody in Samuel’s heart. She did not expect him to care about her, not even the slightest. Samuel did not like the way Kathleen was looking at her, as well as the way she spoke to him. He walked toward Kathleen with a dark expression. Kathleen was so terrified that she took a step backward and knocked onto the table behind her. “Be careful!” Benjamin was worried. Samuel held Kathleen’s wrist, pulled her into his arms, and said in a low voice, “Kathleen, he’s just a police officer. He’s not a difficult opponent to me. Are you sure you want to argue with me here?” Kathleen froze. Samuel was threatening her again. He knew she had a soft heart. He knew how to use her weakness to his advantage and threaten her with someone he could make use of. “I’ll go with you,” said Kathleen as she lowered her head. Kathleen was grateful that Benjamin had helped her. She could not bear to trouble him again. Gemma only had Benjamin, and Kathleen did not want to get the siblings involved. Benjamin stared at Kathleen with concern. “Kathleen, if you don’t want to go back—” “I’m going back.” Kathleen did not look at Benjamin as he had been sensitive since he was young and could observe the emotional change in people around him quickly. “Thank you for saving her, Mr. Young. You will be rewarded after this.” “It’s okay. I didn’t save her for rewards,” Benjamin rejected. “Hmph. Mr. Young, you’re an orphan, and your biological family doesn’t welcome you. If you become rich one day, they will treat you differently. So keep it.” Samuel sounded really arrogant. “Samuel, that’s enough.” Kathleen was furious. Who does he think he is? How could he humiliate Benjamin like that? Samuel stared at the woman, who was inches shorter than him. This is the first time she has thrown a tantrum at me because of a stranger. The more she acted that way, the angrier Samuel got. How is she related to this man? Why is she defending him? Kathleen thought Samuel was being ruthless. Furthermore, he had left her on the streets and something bad had almost happened to her. Kathleen pursed her lips and went straight out without turning back. Samuel’s expression fell. Why is she acting like this? He went after her, and they arrived at the vehicle. “Kathleen, how dare you give me this attitude because of some random man?” A vicious glare appeared on Samuel’s handsome face. “I’m not giving you an attitude because of a man. Samuel, do you know what would have happened to me if not for Benjamin?” Kathleen’s eyes reddened. Her tears made her look pitiful and less lethal. “I almost got taken forcefully! Do you know what that means?” Kathleen was trembling. “If you were human, you wouldn’t have left me, a woman, on the streets alone just so you could meet your mistress. Do you know what I was going through when you were flirting and snuggling with the mistress?” Samuel panicked. “I didn’t mean it.” “You didn’t mean it?” Kathleen’s tears started streaming down her cheeks. “I’ve reminded you, yet you didn’t bother about my safety. Even if I die, you will not even bat an eyelid.” “I…” Samuel knew he was wrong. He didn’t expect her to be in danger in five minutes. Sniffling, she continued, “Samuel, you never cared about me. You never even tried to get to know me.” Samuel remained silent. “Samuel, I don’t like to eat crabs. Do you know why I started to like them? It’s because you would remove the shells for me.” Samuel reached out as he wanted to hug her. It broke his heart to see Kathleen cry. Kathleen pushed his hands away. “Don’t touch me! You’ve touched Nicolette with these hands, so don’t touch me!” Samuel was stunned, and his gaze darkened. “Samuel, it’s not that I don’t want to divorce you. Grandma is not well, and I’m afraid she can’t take the news.” Kathleen wiped away her tears. “We can get a divorce and hide the news from Grandma until the right time arrives. Let’s go to the City Hall to get the papers signed tomorrow.”